The Post-Gazette’s July 10 editorial lauding Ross Perot’s character and contributions (“Before His Time: Ross Perot Understood the Failures of U.S. Politics”) was well founded. But suggesting that Mr. Perot was an early version of Donald Trump is insulting to Mr. Perot’s legacy.
Yes, Mr. Perot was an economic nationalist, but he never played on the anxieties of working-class people by using demagoguery to blame immigrants for taking American jobs.
Mr. Trump characterizes himself as a self-made, but he received millions in financing from his wealthy family to get started in life, and even this advantage didn’t keep him from going bankrupt more than once.
Mr. Perot was a self-made man. He began life in modest circumstances, but he had the foresight to recognize the coming computer revolution and founded a company that did much to advance that technology into the business world. Mr. Perot earned his billions.
Mr. Perot was charitable in his personal life and showed concern for his customers. Mr. Trump is an immature, self-centered narcissist who isn’t concerned about anybody but himself.
The Post-Gazette is correct: Voters want leadership of the kind the Mr. Perot might have provided. But Mr. Trump can’t provide it.
Michael Forth
Mt. Lebanon
First Published: July 20, 2019, 4:00 a.m.